Fueled by an effective and efficient pitching performance from Parker Niskala, Ely’s age 14-and-under baseball team started its season off in style Monday night.
Niskala fired a no-hitter - and needed only 48 pitches to do so - as Ely blew out Vermilion Range 10-0 in a five-inning season-opener at Veterans Memorial Field.
Two runners reached base in the first inning, one by way of an error and another on a walk, but Niskala dominated the rest of the way.
Aided by a strong defense, the righthander retired 13 straight batters to close out the win.
At the plate, Niskala reached base three time and scored twice, and Ely was aided by numerous walks issued by Vermilion Range pitchers.
Leadoff man DJ Johnson tripled and scored twice for the winners, while Henry Fetterer doubled in two runs as part of a four-run second inning.
Alden Harding also singled and scored once for Ely. The 14U team is coached by Mitchell Peterson and will be in action this week with two games against Rock Ridge.
Ely visits Rock Ridge I on Monday and hosts Rock Ridge III Wednesday. Both games begin at 5:30 p.m.
